State to fund Sparks Road reconstruction

LINDEN — After a year’s work by Marengo County Commissioner Freddie Armstead, the commission learned Tuesday that the state will fully fund the reconstruction of a 2.1-mile stretch of Sparks Road.

Marengo County Senator Bobby Singleton and Representative A.J. McCampbell made the announcement to the commission. The $740,000 project should begin within the next 90 days, said county engineer Ken Atkins.

“It’s been a long, hard road,” said Armstead.

The commission recognized two correctional officers for completing the Alabama Jail Training Academy basic course.

The 48-hour program, held over four sessions, is being required of all state personnel in correction departments.

Honored were Aquanetta Daniels, jail administrator, and Mechell Chapman, corrections officer.

Three county employees have completed the training so far.

The commission okayed a full tax abatement on an $8 million investment on new equipment by WestRock.

Kevin McKinney, EMA director, gave updates on actions that are expected to be brought before the Association of County Commissioners Conference in Orange Beach next week.

McKinney said national standards for EMA programs are being set up. Alabama is expected to adopt the standards and will present guidelines at the ACC meeting.

He also said the 911 association is considering legislation to implement technological changes that would allow for text and video messaging over a dedicated internet system.

The upgrades would cost the state’s 88 emergency call centers a total of $10 million a year, although some of that cost would be paid for by dropping the current phone and internet line.

The commission approved the appointments of Andy Renner to the Department of Human Resources Board from District 2 and Carolyn Kirkham to the library board.

In other action, the commission voted for a new policy concerning the use of a county credit card to pay for hotel reservations and a revision of the travel policy to include the new credit card action.

Also approved was the financial statements prepared by Rutledge and Associates.

Stacey Adams with the Department of Public Health requested the commission continue level funding for the agency in the next fiscal year.

In response to questions, Adams said the Zika virus has not been found in Marengo County, but the DPH is prepared to handle the situation should the virus be detected.

Allison Brantley, Director of the UWA Economic Development and Outreach Services, told commissioners that her department is available to provide support for workforce training and development.

Brantley is speaking throughout UWA’s service area to let governmental agencies know what her division is and does.

The commission set a budget hearing for Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m.